The Delta independent., 1887-04-12
THE NEW MINING BILL.
The Kind Of Mines Thst VIII bs Taxed and
How They Will bs Assessed.

How rhsy VIII b. Assessed.
Denver Republican
Herewith is given the bill passed by
the General Assembly in the last hour of
its session providing for the taxation of
mines. 1t is compromise measure and has
considerable merit The most important
sections are the first and third. The first
provides that ''all mines shall be assessed
and taxed" while the third provides how
the assessors shall arrive at the value Of
mines In assessing them. 1t will be noticed
that the third section applies only to pro
ducing mines, whether patented or not, and
only 10 such producing mines as have yield
ed more than 81 600 gross during the preced-
ing year. II mine has yielded 81 900, and
no more or less than 81. l.0OO, then the law
does not specify how it shall be valued. Nor
is there any provision in the bill providing
for the assessment of great and valuable
patented mines which have not yielded dur
ing the preceding year, Notwithstanding &
the first section of the act says 'all mines
shall be assessed and taxed" Probably
courts would hold that the word ''shall' in
the first section is not mandatory, and that
only such mines can be taxed as can be
assessed under the provisions of the third
section.
Doubtless all idle mines and unproduc-
tive mines are exempt from taxation, while
those that are productive will bear some
share in supporting the government.
The bill 1t will be noticed, provides that
the assessor shall not assess the value of any
mine at q sum more than one-fifth of its
gross production during the preceding
year, but 1t does not provide that it shall as
sess 1t as much as that This gives the as
SCISSORS some discretion, which is Just what
they have in assessing all other kinds OF
property. On the whole the bill will prob
ably be considered a good one.
THE BILL.
An act providing for the taxation Of mines
and mining property in Colorado.
Be Il enacted By the General Assepsbly Of ras
State Of Colorado:
Section l. All mines and mining property
Of the class heretofore exempted by the
Constitution of the State of Colorado, shall
hereafter be assessed and taxed, and the
taxes levied be enforced by a sale Of the
property taxed, in default of payment, in
the same manner as is now or may be pro-
vided by law in the case of other classes
Of taxable real estate.
the name of the lode or claim, and the name
of the mining district, shall be sufficient
description for the purposes Of taxation and
assessment OF mining property.
Sec. 3. All mines and mining claims and
possessory rights therein producing min
eral during the year exceeding in value the
um Of q 600, shall be assessed by the as
SCISSOR for the purposes Of taxation and rev.
enue, as follows, viz: The assessor shall
compute and ascertain the gross proceeds
In dollars and cents derived from the mine
and mining claim to be valued during the
preceding fiscal year; suth mine or mining
claim shall be valued for revenue purposes
at sum not exceeding one-ffth Of the sum
thus ascertained, and said mine or mining
claim shall be assessed and taxed accord
ingly; and II such gross proceeds are de-
riven from group OF several mines or
mining claims contiguous to each other,
pany or corporation then such ascertained
sum shall be equally divided and prorated
to each Of such claims, and they shall be
valued and taxed accordingly.
Sec. 4. In case the mine or mining claim
shall not be patented or entered for patent
and shall he assessable and taxable un-
der this act on account of producing gross
proceeds, then, and In that case, the pos
session shall be the subject Of the assess
Se ssq eTsa hs sa sssh % ss
shall pass the title and right of possession
to the purchaser under the laws of Colora-
do.
Sec. 5. 1t shall be the duty of the County
mineral survey lots, patented or entered for
patent, or the name and locality Of all pro
ducing possessory claims In his county on
or before the first day Of May in each year,
missioners his outlays necessarily expended
In obtaining the same. Such list shall be
used by the Assessor to and In listing any
claims not already listed by the owners.